ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Defence
INAUGURATION OF WATER SUPPLY FROM DELHI JAL BOARD AND A NEW ENTRANCE GATE
22 April 2023 turned out to be a historic day for the Base Repair Depot , Palam with the inauguration of two major projects namely supply of fresh water by Delhi Jal Board and inauguration of a new entrance gate for the Depot by Air Marshal Vibhas Pande AOC-in-C, Maintenance Command. The project for supply of fresh water to the BRD initiated in 2009 reached its culmination on 22 Apr 23. With the inauguration of the new entrance gate for the Depot, the persistent issue of traffic congestion due to its close proximity to Palam Railway Crossing will now be eased. The personnel and their families can now access the BRD without much of hassles.
Air Marshal Vibhas Pande expressed his satisfaction on commissioning of both the projects which would enhance the happiness index of the air warriors and their families. He urged the BRD personnel to continue to work diligently towards fulfilment of its operational task with greater zeal and enthusiasm
Air Commodore SS Rehal. Air Officer Commanding thanked the officials of Delhi Jal Board, Delhi International Airport Ltd., Military Engineering Services and all the personnel of the Depot for contributing whole heartedly to make both the projects successful.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Enhanced Insurance Cover for Exporters; Affordable and Accessible Credit; Reduction in Interest Rates; FM Announces NIRVIK Scheme for Exporters in Union Budget 2020-21
The Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, announced the NIRVIK scheme in the Union Budget 2020-21 in Parliament today.
It will provide high insurance cover for exporters and reduce premium for small exporters. To achieve higher export credit disbursement, a new scheme NIRVIK is being launched which provides for high insurance cover, reduction in premium for small exporters and simplified procedures for claim, settlement, said the Finance Minister while presenting Budget 2020-21.
She further added that the Scheme is being prepared by the Commerce and Industry Ministry. Under the Scheme, also called the Export Credit Insurance Scheme , the insurance guarantee could cover up to 90% of the principal and interest.
Commerce and Industry Ministry has also proposed to subsidise the premium under the Scheme that has to be paid by exporters of certain key sectors. In September last year Commerce and Industry Minister, Piyush Goyal had announced that the gems, jewellery and diamond  sector borrowers with limit of more than Rs. 80 crore will have a higher premium rate under the NIRVIK Scheme as compared to non-GJD sector borrowers of this category due to the higher loss ratio.
The Export Credit Guarantee Corporation  cover will also provide additional comfort to banks as the credit rating of the borrower is enhanced to AA rated account.Enhanced cover will ensure that Foreign and Rupee export credit interest rates will be below 4%and 8% respectively for exporters. Under ECIS, insurance cover percentage has also been enhanced to 90% from the present average of 60% for the both principal and interest.
The Export Credit Corporation currently provides credit guarantee of up to 60 percent loss.
The development assumes significance as exporters have raised concerns over availability of credit.
India’s exports contracted for a fifth month in a row by 1.8 percent in December 2019 to USD 27.36 billion and imports declined 8.9 percent to USD 357.39 billion, leaving a trade deficit of USD 118.10 billion.
Prime Minister's Office
PM congratulates Indian music composer, Ricky Kej on winning Grammy Award for album Divine Tides
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has congratulated Indian music composer, Ricky Kej on winning the Grammy Award for his album Divine Tides.
In response to a tweet by Ricky Kej, the Prime Minister said;
"Congratulations for this remarkable feat and best wishes for your future endeavours!"
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Election Commission
TECHNICAL FEATURES OF EVMs ARE FOOLPROOF -CHIEF ELECTORAL OFFICER, SHRI RAJATH KUMAR
Shri Rajath Kumar, Chief Electoral Officer  of Telangana State said that care should be taken to disseminate information that is factually correct while reporting news pertaining to elections.
Shri Rajath Kumar who was the Chief Guest at a workshop organised for the district correspondents of All India Radio  said that, AIR is known for its credible and accurate news. Reporting accurate news is more important, than being the first to report it, he said.
In answer to a question on the veracity of the EVMs, the CEO said that since they were first introduced in 1982, the EVMs have faced 37 judicial challenges, but all the cases were ruled in their favour, by the courts.
The M3 version of EVM now in use have foolproof protocols and any interference or misuse will make them go back to factory mode.
He said ERO net the software to bring transparency in voters’ list, is being used for the first time in Telangana elections. He said that the advent of EVMs and VVPATs  would ensure that the process of elections is unbiased and accurate.
Speaking about “Accessible Elections”, the present thrust area of the Election Commission, he listed out various initiatives taken to ensure participation by persons with disabilities in the democratic process.
Shri TVK Reddy, Addl. Director General, Press Information Bureau , Hyderabad, Shri Allam Narayana, Chairman, Telangana Media Academy, Shri Akash Lakshman, Addl. DG, News Services Division, New Delhi and Smt. D. Suprashanthi Devi, Head of Regional News Unit, AIR, Hyderabad, spoke. Correspondents of AIR from all over Telangana, officials and AIR staff attended.
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Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Prasar Bharati all set for Live coverage of Independence Day 2023
5 robotic cameras in a total of 40 and 2 360- degree cameras to cover every angle of the festivities
Live coverage to begin 6:15 am on 15th August
Ahead of 77th Independence Day, Prasar Bharati has made elaborate arrangements for the live coverage of the festivities from Red Fort. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will lead the Nation in celebrating the 77th Independence Day from the iconic Red Fort in Delhi on August 15, 2023. He will unfurl the National Flag and deliver the customary address to the nation from the ramparts of the historic monument.
This year’s Independence Day will culminate the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrations, which were launched by the Prime Minister from Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, Gujarat on March 12, 2021 and will, once again, usher the country into ‘Amrit Kaal’ with renewed vigor to realize Shri Narendra Modi’s dream of making India a developed country by 2047. A number of new initiatives have been taken to celebrate the 77th Independence Day. A large number of guests have been invited as compared to last year.
DD and AIR coverage of Independence Day celebrations will begin with the broadcast of President of India Smt Droupadi Murmu’s message to the nation on the eve of Independence Day, 14th August at 7 PM.
Doordarshan’s live coverage of Independence Day celebrations this 15th August will be covered by more than 40 camera views to give a rich and wide perspective of the historical moment when Prime Minister Modi unfurls the Tricolour at the Red Fort.
To bring you such mesmerizing experience, Doordarshan has deployed 41 Cameras. Of these 36 have been deployed at Red Fort and 5 at Rajghat. This includes 5 robotic unmanned cameras. The intricate setup also has in addition two 360-degree view cameras. 4 cameras have been mounted on Jimmy Jibs and 1 on Scissor Crane to give dynamic camera angles to the event.
A strong and experienced team has been deployed for the live coverage of Prime Minister’s speech on 15th August, with the live scheduled to start at 6:15 am. The deployed camera team includes two female camerapersons. The live coverage will be carried across the network of Doordarshan with sign language translation on Doordarshan News. The coverage will be accompanied by a simultaneous live stream on YouTube.
National channels of All India Radio will broadcast the entire celebration Live in English and Hindi commentary. All India Radio will broadcast various patriotic and cultural programmes throughout the day.
The regional stations of Doordarshan and Akashwani in different states will broadcast local Independence Day celebrations in their respective states.
Saurabh Singh
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Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister Thanks Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for conferring Global Goalkeepers Goals Award 2019
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, thanked Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for conferring upon him Global Goalkeepers Goals Award 2019. He also said that, over the last five years India has taken many efforts to improve cleanliness and sanitation, fulfilling Gandhi Ji's dream of a Swachh Bharat.
Ministry of Home Affairs
NDMA conducts training programme for CBRN emergencies at New Mangalore
The National Disaster Management Authority  is conducting a basic training programme at the New Mangalore Port Trust in Mangaluru. The five-day training programme which started from today, is aimed at enhancing the preparedness of Seaport Emergency Handlers  to respond to CBRN emergencies at the seaports.
This is the first in a series of such programmes that will be conducted at various seaports across the country to enable SEHs to respond suitably till the arrival of specialised response teams.CBRN emergencies pertain to threats emanating from the use of Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear material.
The training programme is being conducted in collaboration with the Indian Ports Association , Institute of Nuclear Medicine & Allied Sciences  and National Disaster Response Force . This training programme will improve the CBRN safety at our seaports by enabling the SEHs to handle any CBRN emergency.
The programme consists of lectures as well as field training, including live demonstrations of detection and decontamination including use of Personal Protective Equipment . Besides equipping the SEHs to handle CBRN emergencies, the training programme will also enable them to provide medical first aid and initial psycho-social support.
Experts from stakeholder departments such as Bhabha Atomic Research Centre  and Defence Research and Development Organisation  will train the participants.
Around 50 participants representing various agencies responsible for operation and maintenance of the seaport will be trained on various aspects of CBRN emergencies. Another 150 working level staff will be sensitized on the subject in a half-day module.
Ministry of Education
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan flags off Gabon’s first Agri-SEZ Project
Project to be implemented with assistance from AOM Group and Centurion University
30 farmers and 20 students from Gajapati Aspirational districts of Odisha, will be travelling to Gabon for technical assistance
From Gajapati to Gabon, from Cheetahs to Climate Change, India-Africa relationship is going from strength to strength - Shri Dharmendra Pradhan
Union Minister of Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Shri Dharmendra Pradhan today flagged off Gabon’s first Agri- SEZ project from New Delhi. The project will be implemented by AOM group with Centurion University as the technical and knowledge partner. In the first phase of the program, 30 farmers and 20 B.Sc./M.Sc. Agri and B.Tech/M.Tech Engineering students from Gajapati district, which is an Aspirational district of Odisha, will be travelling together as agri-technical and technical consultants for the agriculture SEZ which is being developed under this project.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Pradhan said that from Gajapati to Gabon, from Cheetahs to Climate Change, India-Africa relationship is going from strength to strength. Today’s launch will add a new chapter in that relationship, he further added. He also expressed confidence that the establishment of an Agriculture and Food Processing Special Economic Zone in Gabon will be a significant milestone towards enhancing food security and self-sufficiency in the country.
Speaking about India-Africa relationship, he said that, in last 9 years, India-Africa relations have gone from strength to strength, recording more than 35 high level visits from India and more than 100 similar ones from Africa. Anti-colonial solidarity, diasporic goodwill, and the principle of 'South-South' cooperation, among others, are also playing a significant role in strengthening the partnership between India and the African continent, he further added.
He also said that development partnership is a key pillar in India’s Africa policy. Being a trusted partner in the journey of socio-economic development, India has extended concessional loans of over US$ 12.3 billion to Africa and US$ 700 mn of grant assistance with development projects in various sectors.
Speaking about India’s G20 Presidency, he said that India's G20 Presidency is very unique given India's role in amplifying the voice and concerns of the Global South and developing countries, scripting another chapter in strengthening India- Africa relations.
He said that Gabon and other African countries have a lot to learn from India’s development journey and recent initiatives like the Aspirational Districts Program.
He also spoke about India-Africa long standing relations in the areas of education and skill development.
Ministry of Finance
Monthly Review of Accounts of Union Government of India upto August, 2023 for the Financial Year 2023-24
The Monthly Account of the Union Government of India upto the month of August 2023 has been consolidated and reports published. The highlights are given below:-
The Government of India has received ₹10,28,931 crore  upto August 2023 comprising ₹8,03,944 crore Tax Revenue , ₹2,09,582 crore of Non-Tax Revenue and ₹15,405 crore of Non-Debt Capital Receipts. Non-Debt Capital Receipts consists of Recovery of Loans ₹9,804 crore and Miscellaneous Capital Receipts of ₹5,601 crore. ₹3,82,482 crore has been transferred to State Governments as Devolution of Share of Taxes by Government of India upto this period which is ₹64,709 crore higher than the previous year.
Total Expenditure incurred by Government of India is ₹16,71,757 crore , out of which ₹12,97,958 crore is on Revenue Account and ₹3,73,799 crore is on Capital Account. Out of the Total Revenue Expenditure, ₹3,67,539 crore is on account of Interest Payments and ₹1,80,739 crore is on account of Major Subsidies.
Ministry of Earth Sciences
Wind Pattern and Ventilation Index Forecast
Air quality over Delhi-NCR is likely to improve marginally
According to the Environment Monitoring and Research Centre  of the India Meteorological Department :
Air mass inflow forecast in Delhi along with predicted ventilation coefficient and weather forecast is as follows:
- The air quality over Delhi-NCR is likely to improve marginally but remain in Poor category on 19.03.2021 and Poor to Moderate category 20.03.2021. Predominant pollutant is PM10 as northwest part of India is influenced by the transported dust. The dust concentration is likely to subside on 19th March. The air quality is likely to remain in Moderate category on 21.03.2021. The Outlook for subsequent 5 Days: The air quality is likely to improve and remain in Moderate to Satisfactory category.
- The predominant surface wind is likely to be coming from variable directions of Delhi with wind speed 08-14 kmph and partly cloudy sky on 19.03.2021. The predominant surface wind is likely to be coming from Northwest directions of Delhi with wind speed 14-22 kmph, partly cloudy sky, mist in the morning and strong surface winds  during the day on 20.03.2021. The predominant surface wind is likely to be coming from East directions of Delhi with wind speed 10-22 kmph, partly cloudy sky, mist in the morning and strong surface winds  during the day on 21.03.2021.
- Predicted maximum mixing depth is likely to be approx. 1800 m on 19.03.2021, 4000 m on 20.03.2021 and 4400 m on 21.03.2021 over Delhi. Maximum Ventilation index is likely to be approx 8500 m2/s on 19.03.2021, 27500 m2/s on 20.03.2021 and 20000 m2/s on 21.03.2021. The ventilation index lower than 6000 m2/s with average wind speed less than 10 kmph is unfavourable for dispersion of pollutants.
- The northwest part of India is influenced by the long range transported dust from Middle-east and Arabian Peninsula. The dust concentration is likely to subside on 19th March.
- Detailed forecast analysis and verification can be seen at https://ews.tropmet.res.in.
- Air mass inflow in Delhi along with ventilation index is attached.

Kindly download MAUSAM APP for location specific forecast & warning, MEGHDOOT APP for Agromet advisory and DAMINI APP for Lightning Warning & visit state MC/RMC websites for district wise warning.
Ministry of Textiles
Textiles Ministry extends limit for HDPE/PP bags from 1.80 lakh bales to 2.62 lakh to tide over crisis of packaging of foodgrains due to closure of jute mills during lock down
Writes to Governments of all jute growing States to allow movement, sale and supply of jute seeds, fertilizers and other farming aids
Ministry committed to protect interest of jute farmers and workers
The Ministry of Textiles has given dilution to the maximum permissible limit i.e. 1.80 lakh bales on 26th March, 2020 and further for 0.82 lakh bales on 6th April, 2020, for HDPE/PP bags to tide over the emergent crisis of packaging of foodgrains due to closure of jute mills during lock down and with a view to protect the produce of wheat farmers by providing them alternate packaging bags.
This move has been taken mainly to protect the interest of the wheat farmers as the grains are likely to ready for packing mid-April’20 onwards. However, Government has considered the dilution with the proviso that whenever the production of jute bags in the jute mills resumes after the lock down period is over, priority will be given to the jute bags for packaging of food grains. To help jute farmers during the lock down period, Ministry of Textiles has written to the all jute growing State Governments to allow movement, sale and supply of the jute seeds, fertilizers and other farming aids. Government is committed to protect the interest of the jute farmers and workers through provisions of the Jute Packaging Materials Act , 1987 and it provides about 100 percent reservation for packaging of foodgrains in jute bags.
The COVID-19 related lockdown has affected the working in the jute mills thereby disrupting the production of jute bags. Since jute millers are not in a position to cater to the requirements of the State Procurement Agencies  and the Food Corporation of India  who are engaged in the Public Distribution System , Government is, therefore, constrained to proactively intervene and engage in trouble shooting by taking alternate measures.
Government of India is seriously concerned about the farmers and their produce. Rabi Crop is about to be harvested. Huge quantities of packaging bags are required. Food grains are primarily packed in jute sacking bags under JPM Act. Due to COVID-19 lock down, Jute Mills are unable to produce jute bags, hence alternate arrangement is inevitable to avoid distress to wheat farmers.
Cabinet
Promulgation of  The Andaman and Nicobar Islands Tenancy Regulation, 2023  The Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu Tenancy Regulation, 2023  The Lakshadweep Tenancy Regulation, 2023
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the proposal for promulgation of  The Andaman and Nicobar Islands Tenancy Regulation, 2023  The Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu Tenancy Regulation, 2023  The Lakshadweep Tenancy Regulation, 2023 under Article 240 of the Constitution of India.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands Tenancy Regulation, 2023; the Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu Tenancy Regulation, 2023; and the Lakshadweep Tenancy Regulation, 2023 will provide a legal framework for creating an accountable and transparent ecosystem for renting premises in the Union territories of Andaman and Nicobar Islands; Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu; and Lakshadweep by balancing the interests and rights of both the landlord and tenant.
The Regulations will give a fillip to private investment and entrepreneurship in the rental market, create adequate rental housing stock for various income segments of society including migrants, formal and informal sector workers, professionals, students etc.; it will also help to increase access to quality rental accommodation; and lead to gradual formalisation of the rental housing market which will create a vibrant, sustainable and inclusive rental housing market in the Union territories of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu and Lakshadweep.
Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
KVIC Potters using innovative methods to prevent spread of Corona virus
At a time when even the smallest bit in the fight against Covid-19 counts and raises hope, scores of KVIC potters in a Rajasthan village are drawing the country’s attention with their unique campaign to prevent the spread of Corona virus. Every earthen pot, particularly pitchers, made by these potters in Kishanganj village of Baran district in Rajasthan has a message on ways to fight Corona. The idea is to ensure that the message reaches every household and members of the family come across the message every time they drink water from it.
The potters have printed messages like, “Use Mask”, “Stay Home, Stay Safe”, “Prevention is Cure” and “Beware of Corona”, on the pitchers whose sale has gone up with rise in temperature. This will ensure that every member of a household reads the messages at least 4-5 times a day.
KVIC Chairman Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena lauded the efforts of the potters saying such distinctive way of communicating with masses will leave a great impact in the fight against Corona. He said such a unique campaign will be an inspiration for many others.
It is noteworthy that the potters in Kishanganj village are the beneficiaries of KVIC’s Kumhar Sashaktikaran Program, an initiative aimed at strengthening the potters’ community across the country. The program has been launched in several remote areas in states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, J&K, Haryana, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Assam, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Telangana and Bihar.
In Rajasthan, more than a dozen districts including Jaipur, Kota, Jhalawar and Sri Ganganagar have been benefitted by the program.
“Kumhar Sashaktikaran program has changed the lives of the potters. The main objective of this mission is to bring back the potters’ community to mainstream. By providing potters with modern equipment and training, we are trying to reconnect them with the society and revive their art,” Shri Saxena said. The KVIC has so far distributed more than 14,000 electric pottery wheels  to the potters, he said, adding the program has benefitted nearly 60,000 people so far.
Under the scheme, the KVIC also provides equipment like blunger and pug mills for mixing clay for making pottery products. The machines have eliminated drudgery from the process of pottery making and resulted in higher income of potters by 7-8 times.
Ministry of Defence
INS TARKASH AT MUSCAT 
Indian Naval Ship Tarkash made a port call to Muscat, Oman from 19 to 22 Jun 2023. During the visit, the ship undertook myraid activities in support of GoI initiative 'Ocean Ring of Yoga' as part of 9th International Yoga Day 2023, in coordination with EoI, Muscat, Oman.
On 21st June, Commanding Officer along with ship's crew participated in Oman Yoga Yatra held at Indian School Muscat organised by EoI. The Ambassador of India to Oman felicitated Commanding Officer, INS Tarkash prior commencement of Yoga, amidst some 2000 participants present at the venue.
During the port call, the ship's crew interacted with the Sultan of Oman’s Armed Forces, wherein an organised visit was conducted to Sultan's Armed Forces Museum and Maritime Security Centre, Muscat, Oman.
Indian Navy and Royal Navy of Oman share close bonds of friendship and the same was evident during all interactions.
VM/PS 96/23
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